aivvaN  V 

THE  SITUATION  IN  HAWAII. 


OCTOBER,  1902. 


BY 


ALEXANDER  S.  TWOMBLY,  D.D., 

NEWTON,  MASS. 


r 


■j 


y-  ' • 

Read  at  the  Mohonk  Conference,  Oct. .2,4,  1^02 


BOSTON,  MASS.: 

Fr.\nk  Wood,  Printer,  352  Washington  Street. 
1902. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016 


https://archive.org/details/situationinhawaiOOtwom 


THE  SITUATION  IN  HAWAH. 


It  was  a wise  policy  on  the  part  of  President  Roosevelt  to 
summon  Governor  Dole  to  Washington  in  April  of  this  year. 
The  object  was  not  so  much  to  consider  the  charges  preferred 
by  malcontents  against  the  governor’s  administration  as  to  discuss 
the  Hawaiian  situation  in  all  its  political  and  economic  features. 

The  governor  was  accompanied  by  a delegation  of  some  of  the 
leaders  of  the  Republican  party  in  Honolulu,  and  the  visit  resulted 
in  Mr.  Dole’s  confirmation  as  governor  for  his  unexpired  term  of 
two  years,  and  in  the  presentation  to  the  President  of  a complete 
statement  of  affairs  in  the  islands.  Attorney-General  Knox  and 
other  high  officials  also  received  the  delegation. 

The  President  is  now  aware,  as  never  before,  that  the  transfor- 
mation of  Hawaii  on  correct  principles  is  a serious  problem  of  the 
United  States  Government  in  connection  with  legislation  for  all  our 
other  outlying  dependencies. 

Under  early  American  influences  Hawaii  had  a natural,  self- 
centered,  and  slow  growth.  Its  new  epoch,  at  the  beginning  of 
the  twentieth  century,  is  artificial,  forced  upon  it  almost  wholly  by 
external  conditions.  Formerly,  the  group  drifted  ; now  it  feels  the 
stress  of  modern  requirements  and  steers  for  a conventional  harbor. 

Romance  died  with  the  extinction  of  the  old  chiefs.  Modern 
civilization  has  suddenly  grafted  the  sprouts  of  the  temperate  zone 
on  a semi-tropical  stock,  which  needs  special  nurture  to  bear  good 
fruit  in  this  time  of  its  unwonted  quickening.  Add  to  these  grafts 
of  the  better  sort  the  pest  of  imported  human  parasites,  and  the 
result  awakens  grave  apprehension. 

The  United  States  Government,  at  this  juncture,  is  called  upon 
to  work  out  in  Hawaii  some  of  the  most  vital  questions  in  state- 
craft. The  islands  offer  a virgin  soil  for  the  solution  of  these  new 
problems.  The  task  is  a complicated  and  difficult  one. 

The  ethnic  problem  comes  first.  The  handful  of  men  and 
women  of  real  American  blood  and  education,  many  of  them  born 
on  the  islands,  numbers  a few  thousands.  These,  with  a limited 
muster  roll  of  other  white  nationalities,  are  the  nucleus  of  brains 
and  integrity  in  the  midst  of  a heterogeneous  collection  of  other 
varieties  of  mankind. 

A majority  of  the  present  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  inhab- 
itants are  Asiatics,  ninety  thousand  or  more.  They  are  alien  to  our 
institutions,  and,  as  a whole,  are  incapable  of  American  citizenship 
in  its  true  sense. 

The  Japanese,  about  sixty  thousand , can  come  and  go  freely. 


4 


The  desire  for  cheap  labor  makes  them  important.  Their  num- 
ber will  probably  not  increase.  They  cannot  be  imported  as 
coolies  under  our  federal  laws,  but  many  arrive,  and  about  as  many 
return  annually.  While  the  higher  ranks,  merchants  and  educated 
persons,  are  progressive,  the  laborers  are  slow  in  the  line  of  advance. 
Few  if  any  Japanese  will  desire  naturalization,  but  they  are  very 
tenacious  of  their  rights  as  residents. 

The  Portuguese,  several  thousands,  are  aggressive,  thrifty  and 
superstitious.  They  have  political  clubs,  and  nominate  candidates 
of  their  own.  They  are  not  considered  a dangerous  element,  either 
socially  or  politically,  although  petty  misdemeanors  are  common 
among  them. 

The  thirty  thousand  of  pure  natives  offer  only  a temporary  problem 
to  the  statesmen  of  America.  In  a few  generations  they  will  become 
extinct.  The  death  rate  among  them  rapidly  increases,  and  few 
children  are  born  to  Hawaiian  fathers  and  mothers.  Just  now, 
because  they  form  a majority  of  legal  voters,  they  are  prominently 
in  the  field  as  political  opponents  of  the  best  white  element.  They 
sent  the  Home  Rule  leader,  Wilcox,  to  Congress,  and  control  the 
elections  by  virtue  of  superior  numbers.  Their  low  average  in 
intelligence  is  as  bad  in  legislation  as  a low  ?norale.  Whether  the 
katiakas  can  resist  bribes  and  lobbyists  remains  to  be  tested. 

Of  the  part-white  Hawaiians  much  more  is  expected  as  citizens, 
socially  and  politically,  but  the  life  of  the  pure  native,  as  such,  will 
soon  have  no  place  in  Hawaii.  It  lingers  in  the  interior  of  the 
islands,  with  much  of  its  old  ignorance  and  prejudice.  It  is  becom- 
ing a hybrid,  especially  in  Honolulu,  the  only  large  city  of  the 
group.  It  is  picturesque,  like  the  scenery  and  the  foliage,  but  has 
no  inherent  persistency  in  any  direction,  and  acts  spasmodically  as 
the  politician  tickles  its  sluggish  nerve-centers  with  promises  which 
never  can  be  fulfilled. 

There  is  in  it  no  basis  for  radical  changes,  social  or  political,  but 
the  memory  of  many  droll  performances  in  the  last  session  of  the 
legislature  is  having  its  effect  even  on  the  kanakas. 

The  test  for  the  franchise  is  now  on  such  a low  plane  that  igno- 
rance and  inability  seem  to  set  tbe  standard  of  citizenship. 

Some  one  has  said  that  “ slavery  pickled  Southern  life  and  left 
it  just  where  it  found  it.”  So  the  false  theories  of  education  in 
the  Hawaii  of  the  early  century  not  only  pickled  but  bottled  up 
the  Hawaiian-speaking  natives.  They  will  not  advance,  although 
their  limited  number  of  children  are  now  taught  English  in  the 
schools.  A considerable  number  of  the  members  of  the  last  legis- 
lation were  not  familiar  with  the  English  language.  This  made 
the  work  of  that  body  abortive,  and  almost  wrecked  the  Home 
Rulers  as  a deliberative  assembly. 

The  worst  element  in  Hawaii  to-day  is  the  low-down  American, 
adventurer  or  politician.  If  he  has  brains,  this  late  comer  is  the 
carpet-bagger  of  the  transitionary  period,  the  demagogue  in  politics, 
and  the  disgraceful,  dissipated  scamp.  He  has  crept  even  into  the 


5 


judiciary  and  other  offices.  One  has  just  been  detected  in  large 
peculations.  If  such  men  are  federal  appointees,  it  is  difficult  to 
dislodge  them. 

As  for  the  ordinary  scalawags,  deserters  from  ships,  drinking 
loafers  found  in  all  large  cities,  professional  criminals,  men  out  of 
work  because  of  shiftlessness  or  hard  times,  and  the  thousand  and 
one  “ne’er  do  weels  ” of  reckless  habits,  many  come  to  Hawaii 
from  the  States  and  are  American  citizens  with  votes. 

Now',  will  American  farmers,  colonists,  artisans,  respectable  new 
settlers,  offset  these  bad  accessions  to  the  electors  of  the  islands? 

It  is  said  that  white  labor  can  hardly  be  introduced  into  the  sugar 
plantations,  even  on  the  co-operative  plan.  Some  such  experiments 
have  been  tried  and  have  failed. 

On  the  other  hand,  a colony  from  California  has  completed  its 
second  year  on  a tract  of  1,200  acres,  and  has  started  peach, 
orange,  and  lime  orchards.  A pineapple  company  has  been  re- 
cently incorporated.  Land  considei'ed  worthless  has  been  made 
productive.  Almost  everything  will  grow  in  Hawaii.  But  some 
think  the  possibilities  of  the  small  farmer  are  limited.  Land  in 
small  parcels  has  become  increasingly  inaccessible.  Capital  is 
needed,  which  few  immigrants  can  command.  Tlie  soil  of  the 
islands  lacks  phosphates,  which  are  needed  for  animals. 

The  white  farmer  has  also  hard  work  to  compete  with  the  China- 
man. Therefore  Americans  of  good  repute  are  not  expected  in 
large  numbers,  while  the  army  of  American  scalawags  increases. 
Honolulu  is  a sort  of  eddy  for  the  drift  of  the  Pacific,  and  the  scum 
accumulates.  These  irregulars  affiliate  with  the  Home  Rule  party 
because  they  have  access  to  the  natives,  as  the  higher  classes  do  not. 
They  gain  influence  over  the  Hawaiian  lower  classes  by  associating 
freely  with  them.  Their  presence,  therefore,  is  demoralizing  and 
a menace  to  a better  social  and  political  situation. 

Such,  then,  being  the  ethnic  and  political  status  of  to-day,  Ha- 
waii as  a territory  of  the  United  States  is  in  a peculiar  situation,  in 
many  respects  unlike  its  condition  before  annexation.  It  has  come 
to  the  parting  of  the  ways.  In  pn©-; direction  lies  disaster;  in  the 
other,  if  guided  aright,  it  will  fivifd,-;  prosperity  and  safety.  Let  us 
consider,  first,  the  possibility  of  disaster. 

Even  the  appearance  of  Honolulu  is  much  changed,  not  wholly 
for  the  improvement  of  its  outward  aspect  or  the  spectacle  of  its 
inhabitants  in  its  streets  and  on  its  wharves.  Its  palm  trees  wave 
their  graceful  fronds  and  its  foliage  is  resplendent,  but  it  lacks 
many  a charm  which  the  character  of  its  people  supplied. 

Annexation  was  alluring,  because  it  offered  a stable  government 
and  protection  from  foreign  invasion  and  interference.  It  prom- 
ised permanence  to  the  commercial  interests  which  the  reciprocity 
treaty  fostered.  But  the  territorial  idea  has  some  drawbacks  al- 
ready apparent.  To  the  federal  government  it  presents  unusual 
phases  in  Hawaii,  never  before  met  in  our  country’s  history.  Con- 


6 


gress  has  here  a “white  man’s  burden,”  different  from  that  pre- 
sented by  the  Philippines,  Porto  Rico,  Cuba,  or  new  territories  on 
our  main  land. 

To  straighten  out  the  just  qualifications  of  citizenship  among  the 
mixed  inhabitants  of  Hawaii  and  the  children  born  to  them  on  the 
islands  will  tax  not  only  the  honesty  but  the  ingenuity  of  our  states- 
men. It  is  a critical  time,  but  it  is  also  a splendid  opportunity. 

Its  proper  acceptance  involves  all  our  outlying  territorial  posses- 
sions. What  is  done  in  the  near  future  in  Hawaii  must  surely 
affect  our  policy  throughout  the  Pacific  Isles. 

The  evolution  of  Hawaii,  with  ultimate  statehood  in  the  per- 
spective, will  be  a basis  for  the  solution  of  problems  now  unforeseen 
but  inevitable. 

If  false  sentiment  concerning  the  decadent  native  race,  or  com- 
mercial greed,  or  the  allowance  of  undesirable  immigration,  or, 
above  all,  if  neglectful  indifference  destroys  the  opportunity,  then 
farewell  to  the  hope  of  a beneficent  future. 

Hawaii  has  not  of  late  been  accorded  its  rightful  share  of  atten- 
tion, either  at  Washington  or  throughout  our  land.  It  is  almost 
a back  number.  Some  thoughtless  congressmen  are  reported  as 
saying:  “ Hawaiians  wanted  annexation.  Now  let  them  work  out  • 
their  own  destiny.  Experience  will  teach  them  useful  lessons.” 

The  Spanish  War,  to  which  annexation  owes  its  quicker  success, 
thrust  little  Hawaii  into  sudden  obscurity.  The  rapid  march  of 
events  in  the  Philippines  and  China  developed  what  seemed  to  be 
far  more  important  issues  than  the  fate  of  a few  fly-specks  on  the 
map  of  the  Pacific.  Even  the  trust  problem,  in  its  present  crucial 
stage  owing  to  the  coal  strike,  may  crowd  interest  in  Hawaii  still 
farther  into  the  background. 

The  future  condition  of  this  Lilliputian  territory,  so  dependent  on 
present  careful  treatment,  is  therefore  in  imminent  peril.  Hawaii 
may  be  sacrificed  in  its  profoundest  interests  at  any  critical  moment 
to  save  some  real  or  fancied  necessity  of  our  nation  as  a whole. 

Who  can  tell  what  may  haj^pen  in  our  Oriental  policy  to  make  our 
legislators  careless  of  what  happens  to  these  islands.^ 

By  and  by  the  small  comparaWte  productiveness  of  its  soil  will 
count  as  little  when  our  Southern  ^fields  augment  their  semi-tropical 
crops,  and  the  West  Indies  yield  tenfold  more  than  now  under 
American  ownership.  Hawaii  may  be  easily  undervalued  as  an 
industrial  factor  when  our  Western  deserts  are  reclaimed  by 
irrigation. 

How  readily  might  it  come  into  the  hands  of  great  industrial  or 
commercial  pi'omoters ! Independent  holdings,  small  ownerships, 
giving  place  to  large  plantations,  may  be  combined  in  one  great 
trust,  and  the  worst  American  practices  go  on  unchecked. 

Besides,  Hawaii  will  sometime  reach  the  limit  of  its  possible 
population.  It  can  have  but  two  leading  cities,  Honolulu  and 
Hilo,  and  these  cannot  be  very  large.  The  immense  commerce  of 
America  with  the  Orient  will  make  these  cities  valuable  to  the 


7 


United  States,  mainly  as  fitting  and  coaling  stations.  With  cable 
communication,  these  islands  will  be  treated  as  points  of  call  and 
departure,  and  the  welfare  of  their  inhabitants  will  be  of  secondary 
consideration. 

The  legislation  at  Washington,  in  the  hands  of  some  future 
government,  may  correspond  ; and  the  fortified  harbor,  as  a place 
to  defend  in  time  of  war,  will  be  paramount  in  the  councils  of  the 
nation.  (I  am  speaking  now  only  of  possible  contingencies  of 
which  we  ought  to  take  notice.)  In  a few  generations  is  it  certain 
that  our  Republic  will  care  first  for  the  interests  of  a million  or  more 
of  the  resident  population  of  Ilaw'aii, — a mixed  mass  descended 
from  aliens,  with  a small  proportion  of  genuine  American 
ancestry  ? 

Hawaii  is  not  like  our  own  frontier  territorial  domain.  It  is  not 
integral  but  external.  When  it  reaches  its  limit  in  population  and 
production,  and  is  arrested  in  its  political  representation  and 
importance,  its  internal  affairs  and  domestic  legislation  will  be 
subordinated  to  considerations  which  may  make  it  the  cesspool 
instead  of  the  paradise  of  the  Pacific. 

This  is  a pessimistic  view,  I know,  but  I speak  only  of  possi- 
bilities, which  in  the  lapse  of  time  may  become  realities,  unless 
, Hawaii,  now  in  its  incipient  stage  of  transformation,  receives  the 
benefit  of  wise  and  special  and  speedy  legislation  for  its  future 
welfare.  We  cannot  shut  our  eyes,  at  least  to  the  obvious  condi- 
tions which  darken  the  prospect  of  the  islands  at  the  present  time. 
Take,  for  example,  the  fact  that  the  Americans  in  Hawaii  can  hardly 
hope  ever  to  return  to  the  simple,  happy  social  joys  and  amenities 
of  the  past.  A society  called  “The  Cousins”  made  the  little 
colony  of  Americans  a brotherhood  of  affiliated  interests.  It  is 
beginning  already  to  lose  its  inclusiveness  and  charm.  No  longer 
can  doors  and  windows  remain  unlocked  or  open  through  the  sweet, 
tropical,  moonlight  night.  The  sneak  thief  and  the  burglar  are 
abroad  in  the  land. 

Since  annexation  the  liquor  traffic  has  increased  in  portentous 
proportions.  The  pastor  of  a Portuguese  missionary  church  in 
Honolulu  reports  that  ninety-five  per  cent  of  the  Portuguese,  chil- 
dren and  adults,  are  addicted  to  the  drink  habit.  The  Hawaiian 
native  is  fond  of  stimulants,  and  regardless  of  consequences.  The 
Chinaman  is  an  opium  smoker,  but  all  other  nationalities  patronize 
the  saloons,  which  extend  over  the  whole  group. 

The  Home  Rule  government  is  responsible,  for  there  is  revenue 
in  the  business.  Annexation  placed  it  under  the  laws  of  the 
territorial  legislature.  The  present  policy  increases  the  sale  of 
intoxicants.  Licenses  are  freely  issued. 

Moreover,  the  increase  of  drunkenness  and  crime  follows  the 
obstructions  to  justice  in  the  courts.  Says  a leading  new'spaper ; 
“The  administration  of  justice  in  the  First  Circuit  Court  of  Honolulu 
has  been  of  late  a byword  and  a farce.  Kvery  possible  technicality 
is  construed  in  favor  of  the  criminal.  One  judge  dismissed  forty- 
one  and  another  sixty-nine  cases  on  technical  grounds  alone.” 


8 


A part  of  this  increase  of  crime  arises  from  the  fact  that  judges 
who  are  appointees  of  the  Government  at  Washington  cannot  easily 
be  removed.  Ther^  is  no  separate  municipal  authority.  The 
social  evil  in  Honolulu  became  so  scandalous  in  an  attempt  to 
keep  it  off  the  streets  that  Governor  Dole  and  the  high  sheriff  of 
the  United  States  Court  were  obliged  to  interfere. 

The  President’s  decision  to  appoint  Mr.  De  Bolt  to  the  first 
judgeship  of  the  First  Circuit  Court  marks  a new  departure  at 
Washington  in  the  matter  of  judicial  nominations.  Hereafter 
some  care  will  be  taken  with  them.  Mr.  De  Bolt  has  fine 
qualifications  for  judge,  and,  with  his  colleague.  Judge  Robinson, 
may  be  trusted  to  redeem  the  local  bench  from  the  disgrace 
brought  upon  it  by  other  incumbents. 

As  to  the  financial  condition  of  the  group,  we  may  quote  a lead- 
ing Republican  journal  as  authority  for  the  statement  that  “before 
the  Home  Rule  legislature  met  the  times  were  good.  Home  Rule 
legislation,  however,  destroyed  confidence;  outside  capital,  an 
indispensable  requisite,  was  refused.  Holding  up  appropriations 
to  carry  on  publicadministration  and  the  attempt  to'  multiply 
offices  threatened  he  sugar  industry.  Business  was  paralyzed. 
The  territory  cannot  stand  another  session  like  the  last.’’  That 
session  left  a deficit  in  the  treasury  very  embarrassing  to  the 
administration. 

Another  recent  report  declares  that  “ the  cutting  off  of  divi- 
dends and  the  shrinkage  of  values  have  given  Hawaiian  securities  a 
black  eye  in  San  Francisco.’’  The  reason  given  is  that  in  this 
transition  period  “ labor  is  unsettled.  Hawaii  has  lost  its  con- 
tract system.  The  new  laborers  are  not  as  efficient.  Prices  of 
everything  are  higher.  Equipment  is  more  expensive,  and  many 
have  lost  heavily  by  the  fall  in  sugar  values.’’ 

The  political  situation  has  also  much  to  do  with  this  unfortunate 
condition  of  affairs.  The  test  for  the  present  franchise  in  the  ter- 
ritory of  Hawaii  is  now  on  so  low  a plane  that  ignorance  and 
inability  are  the  standard. 

But  let  us  turn  now  to  the  hopeful  side  of  the  situation.  A 
majority  of  the  best  people  in  Hawaii  will  not  hear  of  any  other. 
Governor  Dole  is  perhaps  among  them,  having  returned  from  his 
visit  to  the  States  much  more  sanguine  of  results.  He  believes  there 
will  be  another  alignment  of  parties  when  the  next  election  comes 
along.  The  lack  in  fulfillment  of  their  promises  by  the  leaders  of 
the  opposition  last  year  has  cost  them  their  prestige,  especially  in 
the  outlying  districts. 

There  are  three  political  parties  in  Hawaii.  The  Home  Rule  polls 
the  largest  vote,  as  the  old  Royalists  and  nearly  every  native  vote 
that  ticket.  Delegate  Wilcox  is  the  leader  of  that  party,  but  the 
ex-queen  has  repudiated  him,  and  he  has  made  himself  unpopular 
with  the  natives  by  a bill  in  Congress  to  make  the  leper  settle- 
ment on  the  island  of  Molokai  a lazar  home  for  all  lepers  in  the 
United  States.  Yet  he  still  has  a fair  hold  on  the  natives. 


9 


Then  there  are  the  Democrats  and  the  Republicans.  There  are 
some  good  and  honest  members  of  the  Democratic  party,  but  they 
have  not  achieved  much  thus  far.  Some  have  lately  gone  over  to 
the  Home  Rule  party. 

Prince  Kuhio  is  the  candidate  of  the  Republican  party  as  dele- 
gate to  Congress,  as  opposed  to  Wilcox.  He  is  the  ex-queen’s 
favorite  nephew,  and  is  taken  by  the  Republicans  to  conciliate  the 
natives. 

But  whatever  the  result  of  the  coming  election,  the  best  Hawai- 
ians  rely  the  most  for  a turn  in  their  affairs  upon  the  retirement  of 
unworthy  judges  by  the  Federal  Government  and  a reform  in  the 
judiciary.  The  authorities  at  Washington  are  gradually  finding  out 
the  character  of  some  of  their  officials  in  Hawaii.  The  commis- 
sion appointed  by  Congress  and  recently  sitting  in  Hawaii,  Senators 
Burton  of  Kansas,  Foster  of  Washington  and  Mitchell  of  Oregon, 
ought  to  be  able  to  enlighten  our  legislators  as  to  the  true  situation 
in  the  islands. 

After  all,  the  main  hope  of  Hawaii  lies  in  that  fraction  of  its 
population  which  is  composed  of  able,  vigorous  and  sincere  men 
and  women  who  are  ready  to  sacrifice  themselves  for  the  salvation 
of  their  native  or  adopted  land. 

All  the  resources  of  these  tried  and  true  patriots  are  at  the  com- 
mand of  the  Federal  Government,  if  only  they  can  be  upheld  by 
intelligent  and  honest  legislation  at  Washington. 

What  may  be  achieved  by  a little  leaven  of  upright  and  alert 
men  was  proved  during  the  existence  of  the  Hawaiian  Republic, 
from  the  year  1S94  1S98.  In  its  brief  life  it  was  one  of  the  very 

best  of  the  independent  states  on  earth.  There  were  absolutely  no 
peculations  ; no  oppression  of  the  natives  ; there  was  a gradual  sup- 
pression of  crime  ; the  judiciary  was  above  suspicion  ; foreign  diplo- 
macy was  straightforward  and  dignified. 

One  of  the  firm  Royalists  of  Oahu,  the  father  of  the  Princess 
Kai-u-la-ni,  declared  to  the  writer  that  the  men  at  the  head  of 
affairs  were  of  the  highest  order  of  integrity  and  ability. 

In  this  class  of  citizens  are  to-day  merchants  and  planters  whose 
credit  abroad  is  equal  to  that  of  any  commercial  and  industrial  mag- 
nates in  America. 

This  better  element  is  also  reinforced  by  the  best  of  the  educated 
natives  and  a large  number  of  the  part  whites. 

If  I may  add  religious  purpose  to  the  characteristics  above  cited 
without  prejudice  to  the  name  “missionary”  given  as  a term  of 
reproach,  I need  only  point  to  the  practical  philanthropy  of  Protes- 
tant and  Catholic  men  and  women,  and  to  their  active  Christian 
work  in  behalf  of  their  fellow-men. 

The  native  ministers  and  a goodly  following  of  their  flocks  are 
loyal  to  good  government.  The  Catholic  priests,  who  seldom  med- 
dle with  politics,  do  what  is  possible  for  the  order  and  morality  of 
their  adherents. 

There  is  a Protestant  Board  of  Missions,  unassisted  by  any  aid 


lO 


outside  the  islands,  which  has  disbursed  nearly  a million  of  dollars 
since  1863;  one  third  of  this  large  sum  has  been  spent  on  the 
islands  of  the  Southern  Seas,  and  two  thirds  in  work  among  the 
nationalities  represented  in  Hawaii. 

A much  lai'ger  sum  has  been  contributed  for  the  maintenance  of 
churches,  native  and  white,  throughout  the  group. 

There  is  also  a new  generation  of  young  Hawaiians,  American 
by  birtb,  now  receiving  their  education  in  our  American  schools 
and  colleges,  who  return  to  their  native  isles  full  of  ambition  and 
hope.  Foster  their  patriotic  zeal  for  the  extension  in  Hawaii  of  the 
highest  American  ideals,  and  the  places  now  worthily  held  by  their 
fathers  will  be  equally  well  filled  by  tbeir  descendants. 

Among  other  promising  resources  of  Hawaii  are  the  college  and 
the  school.  The  equipment  for  teaching  all  the  children  in  the 
group  is  complete  ; the  instruction  is  in  English,  and  the  teachers, 
many  from  New  England,  are  capable  and  zealous.  No  nation- 
ality is  exempt  from  compulsory  attendance.  The  system  em- 
braces even  the  children  of  the  lepers  on  Alolokai. 

One  thing  cheers  beyond  measure  all  friends  everywhere  of  true 
progress  in  Hawaii.  It  is  President  Roosevelt’s  interest  in  the 
islands.  The  friends  of  good  government  and  righteous  law  know 
that  he  is  a man  of  loyal  nature,  whose  convictions  never  allow  his 
acts  to  lag  behind  them. 

From  him,  Hawaii,  in  this  trying  transitionary  period,  expects 
co-operation  in  its  strenuous  efforts  to  bring  the  territory,  in  due 
time,  into  the  front  rank  of  the  republic’s  most  progressive  states. 

If  Hawaii  shall  obtain  legislation  that  will  start  her  great  sugar 
industry  upon  a career  of  renewed  prosperity ; if  she  shall  obtain 
legislation  that  will  enable  her  to  retain  for  local  improvement  the 
customs  revenues  whose  export  drain  her  life  blood  ; if  she  shall 
secure  payment  of  the  indebtedness  incurred  by  her  in  using  the 
torch  to  save  her  people  and  the  people  of  the  mainland  from 
pestilence, — if  she  shall  obtain  any  or  all  of  these  things  she  must 
obtain  them  from  the  Republican  party,  for  it  is  in  power  in  Con- 
gress and  it  is  there  to  stay.  It  is  with  the  voters  of  Hawaii  now 
to  determine  with  which  party  they  will  identify  themselves.  Will 
they  march  forward  with  the  swelling  Republican  legions?  or  will 
they  drag  backward  with  the  dwindling  and  retreating  forces  of 
Democracy?  The  choice  is  with  them,  and  as  they  choose  wisely 
or  unwisely  will  the  destinies  of  these  beautiful  islands  be  affected. 

Considering,  then,  the  changes  thus  far  for  better  or  worse,  in 
that  land  of  sunny  skies  and  surpassing  beauty, — and,  notwithstand- 
ing our  regret  that  never  will  the  old  days  of  restful  simplicity  in 
living  return  to  that  fair  heritage  of  ours  beyond  the  sea, — may  we 
not  indulge  the  hope  that  all  true  Americans  will  unite  with  those 
who  are  striving,  as  their  fathers  strove  in  the  past,  to  make 
Hawaii  a Christian  state? 

There  are  noble  hearts  in  that  “gem  of  the  Pacific’’  beating 
high  with  confidence  in  their  share  of  America’s  bright  destiny, 


and  who,  in  spite  of  present  adversity,  wait  for  the  time  when  all 
men  will  acknowledge  that 

“ He  alone  is  great  who,  by  a life  heroic,  conquers  fate.” 

Dr.  Birnie  followed. 

Rev.  Douglas  Putnam  Birnie. — I count  it  high  honor  to 
speak  to  you  to-day ; it  is  a privilege  to  strive  to  make  the  lovers  of 
the  Indian  friends  of  the  Hawaiian.  For  the  third  time,  in  obedi- 
ence to  the  commands  of  your  committee,  I am  here  to  speak  for 
the  Island  Territory,  but  if  word  of  mine  may  win  your  interest  in 
Hawaii,  I am  content.  . . . 

You  have  listened  to  the  delightful  paper  of  Dr.  Twombly, 
which  presents  a careful  survey  of  the  condition  of  affairs.  In  the 
few  minutes  which  are  allotted  to  me  I shall  touch  briefly  upon  the 
political,  commercial,  and  ethical  status  of  the  islands,  and  suggest 
possible  methods  of  betterment.  From  the  figures  which  have 
been  given  to  you  this  morning  you  perceive  that  although  the 
people  of  Hawaiian  blood  number  only  about  one  fourth  of  the 
population,  nevertheless,  owing  to  the  restriction  of  the  ballot,  the 
political  control  rests  in  their  hands.  The  Japanese  and  Chinese 
immigrants  are  not  permitted  to  vote,  and  the  citizens  of  the  white 
race  form  a very  small  portion  of  the  population.  The  Hawaiian 
has  little  capacity  for  self-government,  and  Congress  has  placed  the 
political  control  in  the  hands  of  an  ignorant  minority. 

It  is  as  though  the  political  control  of  New  York  state  had  been 
placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Indians,  and  they  had  elected  a legisla- 
tive assembly,  many  members  of  which  could  not  understand  the 
English  language.  This  is  the  condition  in  the  territory  of  Hawaii. 
No  wonder  blunders  were  made.  It  is  the  only  portion  of  the 
United  States  where  men  can  legally  vote  who  do  not  understand 
the  English  language. 

This  makes  it  possible  for  a demagogue  to  say  to  them,  as  some 
have  said,  “ If  you  will  only  vote  for  me  I will  see  that  the  Qiieen 
is  restored  to  her  old  place  with  power,”  and  they  believe  it.  The 
result  has  been  political  unrest.  It  is  the  old  story  of  the  South  and 
the  North.  They  never  voted  under  the  old  chiefs;  they  were  not 
considered  capable  of  voting ; they  cannot  vote  intelligently  to-day. 
There  can  be  no  peace  under  the  present  condition. 

What  can  be  done.^  I suppose  it  would  be  impossible  to  take 
the  franchise  away,  though  it  was  unwisely  bestowed  ; but  a law 
might  be  passed  declaring  that  no  man  could  hold  office  who  could 
not  read  and  write  English,  and  that  after  a certain  time  no  new 
voters  should  be  enrolled  who  could  not  speak  the  language  of  our 
country.  Something  must  be  done  to  restrain  and  limit  the  power 
of  the  ignorant  minority  in  the  Island  Territory. 

Take  the  condition  commercially.  Times  are  hard  to-day;  there 
is  bitter  poverty  and  distress.  Before  annexation  the  custom  duties 


12 


were  retained  in  the  islands;  now  they  are  sent  to  Washington. 
All  prices  have  gone  up.  Food,  clothing,  supplies  of  all  sorts  must 
pay  the  San  Francisco  price  plus  the  cost  of  transportation.  Our 
exclusive  policy  went  into  effect,  and  no  more  Chinese  laborers 
could  be  imported.  The  planters  sent  to  Europe  and  the  United 
States  for  white  labor,  but  that  has  failed.  They  imported  Porto 
Ricans  at  a high  cost,  and  they  have  not  been  a success.  They 
sent  for  negroes,  but  they  could  secure  only  the  poorer  quality. 
The  labor  market  bas  not  been  supplied,  and  grade  of  morality 
has  been  lowered.  The  Japanese  coolies  are  not  desirable.  They 
drink,  are  restless,  discontented,  untruthful',  and  as  laborers  are 
inferior  to  the  Chinese.  There  is  a proposition  to  introduce  a 
limited  number  of  Chinese  to  work  in  the  cane  fields  alone.  The 
Hawaiians  will  not  do  this  work ; the  white  man  cannot.  The 
Hawaiians  make  no  objection  to  such  importation.  If  you  admit 
the  Chinese  to  the  cane  fields  you  promote  the  sugar  industry,  and 
you  aid  every  skilled  white  laborer  who  is  in  the  islands.  I see  no 
remedy  for  the  present  unfortunate  commercial  distress  but  tbe 
importation  of  Chinese  labor  for  tbe  plantations.  You  noticed 
what  Governor  Taft  said.  I have  known  him  since  we  were  in 
Yale  together,  and  he  is  a conservative,  fair-minded  man.  He 
suggested  that  Congress  should  leave  to  the  Commission  to  decide 
whether  a certain  number  of  Chinese  laborers  should  be  introduced 
into  the  Philippine  Islands.  I think  Chinese  labor  will  elevate  tbe 
tone  of  the  community.  They  are  industrious,  frugal,  law-abiding. 
They  are  home  lovers.  They  pay  their  debts.  They  drink  no 
liquor.  In  those  tropical  countries  the  man  who  drinks  liquor  goes 
to  the  wall ; it  is  only  the  man  who  is  temperate  that  lasts. 

The  only  laborer  that  can  live  under  the  tropical  sun  and  can  do 
the  work  thoroughly  and  well  is  the  Chinaman.  You  need  the 
white  man  for  the  higher  grades  of  service  and  for  carrying  on  the 
business  enterprises  of  the  island,  but  you  must  have  the  Chinese 
ill  the  cane  field. 

Take  the  ethical  condition  of  the  island.  Crime  has  increased; 
vice  has  multiplied.  The  ballot  is  in  the  hands  of  the  ignorant 
native,  and  the  .demagogue  manipulates  it.  Recent  disclosures 
show  corruption  among  high  officials.  The  treasurer  of  the  Dole 
Republic  was  a leading  banker  of  bigb  character  and  ability  ; the 
treasurer  of  the  Territory  under  the  new  regime  stole  a large  sum 
of  money,  and  made  good  his  escape  from  the  country.  The 
Hawaiians  of  character  and  intelligence  are  discouraged.  The 
native  churches  are  in  a deplorable  condition.  Many  pastors  have 
entered  politics,  and  are  neglecting  their  proper  work. 

For  the  future,  if  the  present  commission  will  favor  the  intro- 
duction of  a limited  number  of  Chinese  for  labor  in  the  cane  field, 
and  Congress  enact  such  laws,  prosperity  will  come  again  to  the 
Islands  of  Hawaii.  The  courts  should  be  purified,  and  men  of 
high  character  only  be  named  as  judges.  Some  limitation  must  be 
placed  upon  the  franchise.  With  ignorance  in  legislature  and  cor- 
ruption in  officials  no  people  can  prosper. 


13 


We  hear  it  said,  “ Hawaii  has  been  annexed  ; now  let  her  work 
out  her  own  salvation.”  But  Congress  has  tied  the  hands  of  the’ 
men  of  intelligence,  culture,  and  high  purpose.  They  are  dis- 
couraged. The  difficulties  are  many.  It  is  as  though  you  should, 
in  one  of  the  boats  on  the  lake  before  you,  place  half  a dozen 
children  and  two  strong  men.  Then  tie  the  men  hand  and  foot; 
now  overturn  the  boat.  Stand  upon  the  wharf,  dry  and  comfortable 
yourself,  and  with  cheerful  voice  send  the  message  across  the  water, 
“ Save  yourselves  and  the  children  committed  to  your  care.” 


NOTE. 

Since  the  Mohonk  Conference  of  October  (1902)  an  election  has  taken 
place  in  Hawaii  (November  4),  resulting  in  the  success  of  the  Republican 
party,  by  a majority  of  about  two  thousand.  A safe,  working  majority  in 
both  houses  of  the  legislature  is  secured,  with  better  men,  on  the  average, 
than  those  elected  two  years  ago.  Prince  Kuhio  takes  the  place  of  Wilcox  as 
the  delegate  from  the  territory  to  Congress.  At  once  there  was  a feeling  of 
relief,  and  more  confidence  both  as  to  good  government  and  the  revival  in 
business.  The  rise  in  price  of  sugar  in  the  United  States,  coming  about  the 
same  time,  added  to  the  hopefulness  of  the  situation.  At  present  there  is 
also  a sanguine  feeling  in  regard  to  proper  bills  for  internal  revenue  and 
appropriations;  for  sound  municipal  charters  and  laws,  and  the  regulation 
of  liquor  licenses,  with  other  improvements  indispensable  to  good  order. 

Now  that  defaulting  officials  have  been  arrested,  and  several  changes  made 
in  federal  appointments,  a brighter  prospect  opens  for  an  honest  and  non- 
partisan exercise  of  the  powers  of  the  Judiciary,  especially  in  legislative 
affairs.  The  situation,  however,  is  not  yet  free  from  grave  possibilities  of 
peril. 

The  cable,  in  working  order  and  giving  prompt  communication  with 
Washington,  will  immensely  favor  the  political  as  well  as  the  commercial 
interests  of  the  islands. 

The  report  of  the  Commissioners  appointed  by  Congress  not  being  given 
to  the  public  except  in  a few  of  its  suggestions,  it  is  impossible  to  say  whether 
its  recommendations,  as  a whole,  will  be  acceptable  and  beneficial  to  the 
llawaiians.  In  regard  to  the  plan  to  make  the  leper  settlement  on  Molokai 
a lazar  house  for  all  sorts  and  nationalities  of  leprous  suspects  and  actual 
lepers  in  the  United  States,  the  wisest  and  best  Hawaiians  (with  the  Hawai- 
ian lepers  themselves)  will  resist  it  with  all  the  energy  at  their  command. 

As  to  the  transfer  to  the  Land  Office  at  Washington  of  the  administration 
of  the  Hawaiian  land  laws,  without  examination  by  men  experienced  in  titles 
and  with  plenty  of  time  for  thorough  investigation,  such  a movement  would 
be  disastrous  in  the  extreme.  The  present  land  laws  of  the  islands  may  be 
imperfect  and  inadequate,  but  they  are  a development  of  more  than  twenty- 
five  years.  They  form  a complicated  system  on  account  of  peculiar  relations 
which  the  natives  held  toward  the  old  chiefs;  for  example,  in  the  matter  of 
water  privileges  and  boundary  lines.  Without  the  utmost  research  and  care, 
titles  will  be  irremediably  unsettled;  especially  if  theory  takes  the  place  of  a 
practical  understanding  of  all  the  interests  and  questions  involved. 

The  limited  immigration  of  Chinese,  as  laborers  on  plantations  only,  con- 
tinues to  increase  in  its  importance  to  the  industrial  interests  of  Hawaii. 
The  Japanese  grow  more  and  more  independent,  and  less  and  less  inclined  to 
keep  contracts.  Within  proper  restrictions,  recommended  by  such  statesmen 
as  Governor  Dole,  there  is  no  danger  of  “slavery”  in  Hawaii  any  more  than 
in  the  old  system  of  “apprenticeship”  in  New  England. 


w 


m 


4-'' 


I 


V- 


T- 


V. 


••r  ■ 


AV’' 


0'  , 


# 


